Gefitinib treatment in hormone-resistant and hormone receptor-negative advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Acquired and de novo endocrine resistance in breast cancer (BC) may be associated with overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Gefinitib is an orally active selective EGFR inhibitor which might benefit advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients either with acquired hormone resistance or with hormone receptor (HR)-negative tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A two-arm multicenter phase II trial of oral gefitinib 500 mg/day was planned in two groups of 45 patients with ABC for whom chemotherapy was not currently indicated. Group 1 had hormone-resistant BC defined as HR-positive BC with progression after treatment with tamoxifen and an aromatase inhibitor. Group 2 had HR-negative BC. Tumor response was assessed every 8 weeks. The primary end point was the clinical benefit rate (CBR).

RESULTS

Forty patients with hormone-resistant BC had a CBR of 0%. Two of 25 HR-negative BC patients showed stable disease (less than a 50% reduction and less than a 25% increase in the sum of the products of two perpendicular diameters of all measured lesions and the appearance of no new lesions) at 24 weeks resulting in a CBR of 7.7% (95% CI 0.9% to 25.1%). Enrollment ceased due to the low CBR. Toxicity resulted in treatment interruption (46%), dose reduction (20%) and withdrawal (11%) of patients.

CONCLUSION

At a dose of 500 mg/day, gefitinib monotherapy resulted in a low CBR and no tumor response was identified.

Abnormal anal cytology in high-risk human papilloma virus infection in HIV-infected Australians

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of abnormal anal cytology and high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV)-type infection in HIV-infected people with a CD4 cell count >300 cells/microl.

METHODS

The clinic-based patient population included 126 HIV-infected people: 124 men who have sex with men, and two women (median age 45 years; CD4 cell count >300 cells/microl). Anal cytology swabs were placed into liquid-based medium for HPV typing by Hybrid Capture-2 assay and cytological assessment, by a single cytopathologist.

RESULTS

106 (84%) participants were infected with high-risk HPV; 17 (14%) had no high-risk types of HPV detected; three (2%) had no HPV assay result because of an inadequate sample. Sixteen (13%) participants had cytological evidence of high-grade squamous intraepithelial (HGSIL) changes, 100% of whom had high-risk HPV types detected, and 13 (10%) had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance with possible high-grade changes (ASCUS-H), 92% of whom had high-risk HPV types detected. Low-grade changes (LSIL) were detected in 24 (19%) participants, 96% of whom had high-risk HPV types, 32 (25%) had ASCUS with 88% high-risk HPV types, 30 (24%) had normal cytology with 73% high-risk HPV types, and 11 (9%) samples were inadequate for cytological assessment. The odds ratio of participants with high-risk HPV having abnormal anal cytology on anal swab was 5.03 (95% CI 1.45 to 17.39).

DISCUSSION

High-risk HPV types are common in this HIV+ population with a CD4 cell count >300 cells/microl. The presence of high-risk HPV types was associated with abnormal anal cytology such as HGSIL and ASCUS-H.

Quality of life and quality-adjusted survival (Q-TWiST) in patients receiving dose-intensive or standard dose chemotherapy for high-risk primary breast cancer

Quality of life (QL) is an important consideration when comparing adjuvant therapies for early breast cancer, especially if they differ substantially in toxicity. We evaluated QL and Q-TWiST among patients randomised to adjuvant dose-intensive epirubicin and cyclophosphamide administered with filgrastim and progenitor cell support (DI-EC) or standard-dose anthracycline-based chemotherapy (SD-CT). We estimated the duration of chemotherapy toxicity (TOX), time without disease symptoms and toxicity (TWiST), and time following relapse (REL). Patients scored QL indicators. Mean durations for the three transition times were weighted with patient reported utilities to obtain mean Q-TWiST. Patients receiving DI-EC reported worse QL during TOX, especially treatment burden (month 3: P<0.01), but a faster recovery 3 months following chemotherapy than patients receiving SD-CT, for example, less coping effort (P<0.01). Average Q-TWiST was 1.8 months longer for patients receiving DI-EC (95% CI, -2.5 to 6.1). Q-TWiST favoured DI-EC for most values of utilities attached to TOX and REL. Despite greater initial toxicity, quality-adjusted survival was similar or better with dose-intensive treatment as compared to standard treatment. Thus, QL considerations should not be prohibitive if future intensive therapies show superior efficacy.

Somatostatin receptor expression, tumour response, and quality of life in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with long-acting octreotide

Octreotide may extend survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Forty-one per cent of HCCs have high-affinity somatostatin receptors. We aimed to determine the feasibility, safety, and activity of long-acting octreotide in advanced HCC; to identify the best method for assessing somatostatin receptor expression; to relate receptor expression to clinical outcomes; and to evaluate toxicity. Sixty-three patients with advanced HCC received intramuscular long-acting octreotide 20 mg monthly until progression or toxicity. Median age was 67 years (range 28–81 years), male 81%, Child–Pugh A 83%, and B 17%. The aetiologies of chronic liver disease were alcohol (22%), viral hepatitis (44%), and haemochromatosis (6%). Prior treatments for HCC included surgery (8%), chemotherapy (2%), local ablation (11%), and chemoembolisation (6%). One patient had an objective partial tumour response (2%, 95% CI 0–9%). Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels decreased more than 50% in four (6%). Median survival was 8 months. Thirty four of 61 patients (56%) had receptor expression detected by scintigraphy; no clear relationship with clinical outcomes was identified. There were few grade 3 or 4 toxicities: hyperglycaemia (8%), hypoglycaemia (2%), diarrhoea (5%), and anorexia (2%). Patients reported improvements in some symptoms, but no major changes in quality of life were detected. Long-acting octreotide is safe in advanced HCC. We found little evidence of anticancer activity. A definitive randomised trial would identify whether patients benefit from this treatment in other ways.

Clinical evaluation of ZD6474, an orally active inhibitor of VEGF and EGF receptor signaling, in patients with solid, malignant tumors

BACKGROUND

ZD6474 selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor. The safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of ZD6474 were assessed in a phase I dose-escalation study of patients with advanced solid tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Adult patients with tumors refractory to standard treatments received once-daily oral ZD6474 (50-600 mg) in 28-day cycles, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity was observed.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients were treated at doses of 50 mg (n=9), 100 mg (n=19), 200 mg (n=8), 300 mg (n=25), 500 mg (n=8), and 600 mg (n=8). Adverse events were generally mild, and the most common dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were diarrhea (n=4), hypertension (n=4), and rash (n=3). The incidence of most adverse events appeared to be dose-dependant. In the 500 mg/day cohort, 3/8 patients experienced DLT and this dose was therefore considered to exceed the maximum tolerated dose. Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed that ZD6474 was suitable for once-daily oral dosing.

CONCLUSIONS

Once-daily oral dosing of ZD6474 at 300 mg/day is generally well tolerated in patients with advanced solid tumors, and this dose is being investigated in phase II trials.

High dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation versus conventional chemotherapy for women with metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

There is a hypothesis that high dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplantation (autograft) may improve survival for women with metastatic breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of high dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation with conventional chemotherapy for women with metastatic breast cancer.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We used the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group search strategy, adding these terms: bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation, autologous stem cell support. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE (until November 2004), EMBASE (until November 2004), ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) (1995-2004) and the COCHRANE LIBRARY (Issue 4 2004). We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group database and cooperative research groups' websites for unpublished trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of high dose chemotherapy and autograft with conventional chemotherapy for women with metastatic breast cancer. Studies included one or more of the following outcomes: treatment related mortality, overall or progression-free survival at 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 years, morbidity, quality of life measures, time to tumour progression, overall survival time.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Six randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers extracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

In total 438 eligible women were randomised to receive high dose chemotherapy with autograft and 412 were randomised to receive conventional treatment. There were fifteen treatment-related deaths among the high dose group and two in the control (conventional dose) group (RR 4.07 (95% CI 1.39, 11.88)). There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the high dose and control groups at one year, three years or five years. At one and five years of follow up, there was a statistically significant difference in event-free survival, favouring the high dose group (one year: RR 1.76 (95% CI 1.40, 2.21); five years: RR 2.84 (95% CI 1.07, 7.50). Toxicity was more severe in the high dose group. Only one of the trials has followed up all women for five years and further data are awaited.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Although there is statistically significant evidence that high dose chemotherapy and autograft improves event free survival compared to conventional chemotherapy, there is no statistically significant evidence of benefit in overall survival for women with metastatic breast cancer. High dose chemotherapy with bone marrow or stem cell transplantation should not be given to women with metastatic breast cancer outside of clinical trials.

High dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation versus conventional chemotherapy for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Overall survival rates are disappointing for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer. Autologous transplantation of bone marrow or peripheral stem cells (in which the patient is both donor and recipient) has been considered a promising technique because it allows much higher doses of chemotherapy to be used.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of high dose chemotherapy and autograft versus conventional chemotherapy for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer. Outcomes were survival rates, toxicity and quality of life.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group specialised register, The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to November 2004), EMBASE (1980 to November 2004), PsycINFO (1984 to November 2004), Cinahl (1982 to November 2004), web sites of co-operative research groups and ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncologists) and reference lists of articles found.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing high dose chemotherapy and autograft versus conventional chemotherapy for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Fifteen trials were considered. Thirteen were included and two were excluded. Three independent reviewers extracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

Analysis included 2535 women randomised to receive high dose chemotherapy with autograft and 2529 randomised to receive conventional chemotherapy. There were 65 treatment-related deaths on the high dose arm and four on the conventional dose arm (RR 8.58 (95% CI 4.13, 17.80). Many studies have not completed follow-up and have reported only preliminary results. There was a statistically significant benefit in event-free survival for women in the high dose group at three years (RR 1.12 (95% CI 1.06, 1.19)) and at four years (RR 1.30 (95% CI 1.16, 1.45)). At five and six years there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in event-free survival. With respect to overall survival, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at any stage of follow up. Morbidity was more common and more severe in the high dose group. However there was no statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to the incidence of second cancers at five to seven years' follow up. Women in the high dose group reported significantly worse quality of life scores immediately after treatment, but few statistically significant differences were found between the groups by one year.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of high dose chemotherapy with autograft for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer.

A phase II study of escalated-dose docetaxel with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support in patients with advanced breast cancer

PURPOSE

Docetaxel is highly active in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. The principal dose-limiting toxicities of the 3-weekly regimen are neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. In a previous phase I dose-escalation study with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support, the recommended dose was determined to be docetaxel 160 mg/m(2) 3-weekly. The objectives of this phase II study were to determine the response rate and toxicity of this dose and schedule, given as first-line in patients with advanced breast cancer. Mobilisation of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) was also investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible women had metastatic breast cancer and were aged 18-75 years with ECOG performance status < or =2. Strict criteria for liver function were followed, and adjuvant chemotherapy must have been completed at least 6 months previously. Treatment was docetaxel 160 mg/m(2) over 60-90 min every 21 days with G-CSF 5 micro g/kg/day until neutrophil recovery, for up to six cycles. A 3-day corticosteroid prophylaxis was given. Bloods samples to determine PBSC levels [CD34+, granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) and burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E)] were taken on days 6, 8, 9 and 11 following docetaxel.

RESULTS

Twenty-five women with median age 50 years (range 35-66) were included. Seventeen (68%) had previously received adjuvant chemotherapy. In total, 112 cycles were delivered (median four per patient), with dose reductions required in 12.5% of cycles. G-CSF was given for a median of 6 days. The median neutrophil nadir was 0.5 x 10(9)/l and occurred a median 5 days after treatment. The median duration of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was 2 days (range 1-7). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 44% of patients, but there was only one episode of febrile neutropenia. Five patients were taken off study due to toxicities that included oedema, neurosensory toxicity and asthenia. Confirmed partial response was seen in nine patients (37.5%; 95% confidence interval 19% to 59%). CD34+ cells, GM-CFC and BFU-E levels peaked at day 8 following docetaxel administration. The median CD34+ cell peak was 6.5 x 10(4)/ml, with only 20% of patients <2 x 10(4)/ml, a level below which leukapheresis is not usually attempted.

CONCLUSIONS

Docetaxel 160 mg/m(2) was delivered with G-CSF support with a very low rate of febrile neutropenia. Non-haematological toxicity was significant, causing five patients to go off study. Effective mobilisation of PBSCs was seen. The response rate of 37.5% was less than that obtained in first-line studies using standard-dose docetaxel 100 mg/m(2), suggesting that there is no additional benefit in dose escalation of this cytotoxic agent in breast cancer patients using this schedule.

A phase I dose-escalation study of docetaxel with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support in patients with solid tumours

BACKGROUND

Docetaxel is a widely active cytotoxic agent. The principal dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of the 3-weekly regimen are neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. Use of prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) may allow higher doses of docetaxel to be administered with potentially greater anticancer efficacy. The objectives of this study were to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicity profile of docetaxel given with G-CSF support.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible patients had solid tumours and were aged 18-75 years with a WHO performance status of up to 2. Strict criteria for liver function were followed. Patients may have received one previous regimen of chemotherapy in addition to adjuvant chemotherapy. Cohorts of three to six patients received docetaxel over 60-90 min every 3 weeks, commencing at 110 mg/m(2) and escalating at 10 mg/m(2) increments. Patients also received G-CSF 5 micro g/kg/day until neutrophil recovery. A 3-day corticosteroid prophylaxis was given.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients with median age 55 years (range 29-75) were included. Fourteen (48%) had previously received chemotherapy. At the 170 mg/m(2) dose level (the MTD), two of three patients had DLTs and 160 mg/m(2) was determined to be the recommended dose. The principal DLTs were skin and neurosensory toxicity. Asthenia was frequent, especially at dose levels >/=140 mg/m(2). Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in only 10 patients (35%) and was not dose related, with febrile neutropenia in three patients (10%).

CONCLUSIONS

Docetaxel may be escalated considerably above standard doses when administered with G-CSF support. The recommended dose for phase II studies is 160 mg/m(2). With escalated-dose docetaxel, DLTs were non-haematological and qualitatively similar to the toxicity profile at standard doses.

High dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation versus conventional chemotherapy for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Overall survival rates are disappointing for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer. There is a hypothesis that high dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplant (autograft) may improve survival rates by permitting higher doses of adjuvant chemotherapy to be given.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of high dose chemotherapy and autograft versus conventional chemotherapy for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group specialised register, The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2002), MEDLINE (1966 to Aug. 2002), EMBASE (1980 to Aug. 2002), PsycINFO (1984 to Aug. 2002), Cinahl (1982 to July 2002), the websites of co-operative research groups and ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncologists) and reference lists of articles found.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of high dose chemotherapy and autograft versus conventional chemotherapy for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We identified nine trials that met the inclusion criteria. Three independent reviewers extracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

In total 1758 women were randomised to receive high dose chemotherapy with autograft and 1767 women were randomised to receive conventional chemotherapy. There were 48 non cancer-related deaths on the high dose arm and four on the conventional dose arm (RR 7.74, 95% CI (3.43, 17.50). Since many studies have not completed follow-up, overall survival rates were in most cases based on results to date. There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between women who received high dose chemotherapy with autograft and women who received conventional chemotherapy, either at three years (RR 1.02, 95% CI (0.98, 1.06)), or at five years (RR 0.98, 95% CI (0.93, 1.05)). There was a statistically significant benefit in event-free survival at three years for the group who received high dose chemotherapy (RR 1.11, 95% CI (1.05, 1.18)). However at five years there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (RR 1.00, 95% CI (0.92, 1.08)). Side-effects were more common and more severe in the high dose group though most were reversible. Women in the high dose group reported significantly worse quality of life scores immediately after treatment but at one year there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in quality of life scores.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of high dose chemotherapy with autograft for women with early poor prognosis breast cancer.

High dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation versus conventional chemotherapy for women with metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

There is a hypothesis that high dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation (autograft) may improve survival for women with metastatic breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of high dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow or stem cell transplantation with conventional chemotherapy for women with metastatic breast cancer.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We used the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group search strategy, adding these terms: bone marrow transplantation, stem cell transplantation, autologous stem cell support. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE (until August 2002), EMBASE (until July 2002), ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) (1995-2002) and the COCHRANE LIBRARY (Issue 3 2002). We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group database and cooperative research groups' websites for unpublished trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of high dose chemotherapy and autograft with conventional chemotherapy for women with metastatic breast cancer. Studies included one or more of the following outcomes: treatment related mortality, overall or progression-free survival at 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 years, morbidity, quality of life measures, time to tumour progression, overall survival time.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Five randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers extracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

In total 382 women were randomised to receive high dose chemotherapy with autograft and 358 were randomised to receive conventional treatment. There were ten treatment related deaths among the high dose group and none reported in the control (conventional dose) group (RR 5.70, 95%CI (1.30, 25)). There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the high dose and control groups (at one year: RR 0.99, 95% CI (0.91, 1.08); three years: RR 1.16 95% CI (0.90, 1.51); five years: RR 1.28, 95% CI (0.72, 2.27)). At one and two years of follow up, a statistically significant difference in progression free survival was reported, favouring the high dose group (one year: RR 1.81, 95% CI (1.39,2.34); two years: RR 1.96, 95% CI (1.32, 2.90 ). However this difference was not evident at three or five years (three years: RR 1.44, 95% CI (0.85, 2.44); five years: RR 1.21, 95% CI (0.40, 3.69). Toxicity was more severe in the high dose group. None of the trials has completed follow up and further data are awaited.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Although there is evidence that high dose chemotherapy and autograft improves progression free survival at one and two years' follow up compared to conventional chemotherapy, there is no evidence of benefit in overall survival.

Clinical biology and potential use of thrombopoietin

The discovery of platelet growth factors raised expectations that an effective method for abrogating thrombocytopenia would soon be available in the clinic. The cytokines initially described were pleiotropic in nature, and stimulation of platelet production was generally modest. However, one of these agents, interleukin-11, was successfully shown to reduce the incidence of severe thrombocytopenia in patients receiving dose-intensive chemotherapy, and has now received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for this purpose. Initial clinical trials of thrombopoietin, the central regulator of megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombopoiesis, and its analogues showed these agents to be the most potent stimulators of thrombopoiesis and to be associated with few adverse effects. They have also been shown to enhance platelet recovery after chemotherapy, but early results from trials investigating their ability to prevent severe thrombocytopenia associated with the treatment of leukemia and bone marrow transplantation have been disappointing. In addition, subcutaneous administration of one of these agents, megakaryocyte growth and development factor, has been shown to induce the formation of antibodies that neutralize native thrombopoietin and cause thrombocytopenia. Platelet growth factors remain promising therapeutic agents; however, there are a number of obstacles to overcome before they find general use in the clinic.

Enhanced levels and enhanced clonogenic capacity of blood progenitor cells following administration of stem cell factor plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to humans

Administration of hematopoietic growth factors is being used increasingly to obtain populations of blood progenitor/stem cells (PBPC) for clinical transplantation. Here we examined the effect of combining stem cell factor (SCF ) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF ) versus G-CSF alone in a randomized clinical study involving 62 women with early-stage breast cancer. In the first patient cohorts, escalating doses of SCF were administered for 7 days with concurrent G-CSF administration. At baseline, levels of progenitor cells in the bone marrow or blood were comparable in the different patient groups. As with administration of G-CSF alone, the combination of SCF plus G-CSF did not alter the wide variation in levels of PBPC observed between individuals and did not alter the selective nature of PBPC release, with preferential release of day-14 granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CFC) versus day-7 GM-CFC. However, SCF acted to sustain the levels of PBPC after cessation of growth factor treatment; levels of PBPC were elevated 100-fold at later timepoints compared with G-CSF alone. In addition, the maximum levels of PBPC observed were increased approximately fivefold at day 5 of growth-factor administration. The increased levels of PBPC resulted in significantly increased levels of PBPC obtained by leukapheresis. In a subsequent patient cohort, 3-days pretreatment with SCF was introduced and followed by 7 days concurrent SCF plus G-CSF. The 3-days pretreatment with SCF resulted in an earlier wave of PBPC release in response to commencement of G-CSF. In addition, maximum PBPC levels in blood and PBPC yield in leukapheresis products were further increased. Unexpectedly however, SCF pretreatment resulted in progenitor cells with enhanced self-generation potential. Recloning assays documented the ability of approximately 30% of primary granulocyte-macrophage (GM) colonies from control cell populations to generate secondary GM colonies (n = 1,106 primary colonies examined). In contrast approximately 90% of GM colonies from PBPC after SCF pretreatment generated secondary clones and 65% generated secondary colonies. The action of SCF was not explicable in terms of altered SCF, GM-CSF, or G-CSF responsiveness, but SCF pretreatment was associated with maximum serum SCF levels at the time G-CSF was commenced. These results show that PBPC populations mobilized by different growth factor regimens can differ in their functional properties and caution against solely considering number of harvested progenitor cells without regard to their function.

Multiple cycles of aggressive chemotherapy prior to autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation for lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Based on in vitro evidence of synergy between certain chemotherapeutic agents and of improved efficacy of cytotoxics administered as continuous infusions we devised a novel chemotherapy regimen for use in patients with lymphoma.

AIMS

To assess the efficacy and tolerability of this regimen alone and in combination with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma.

METHODS

The regimen consisted of cytosine arabinoside and etoposide given as five day continuous infusions, bolus doses of methotrexate and cyclophosphamide and four days of oral dexamethasone (MADEC), together with prophylactic G-CSF. Fifty-one patients aged 17 to 65 years (median 43) were treated; 34 had intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 17 had Hodgkin's disease. Patients with responsive disease received a second cycle.

RESULTS

Eleven patients (22%) achieved a complete response and 19 patients (38%) achieved a partial response, eight of whom were gallium negative. Previous chemosensitivity was highly predictive for response; minimal response was seen in patients with primary refractory disease. The probability of survival and event-free survival at 40 months for the entire group is 46% (+/- 8% SEM) and 26 +/- 8% respectively. Thirty-one patients proceeded to ASCT; the probability of survival of the transplanted group is 65 +/- 11% at 40 months. The regimen caused significant myelosuppression. The majority of cycles were complicated by febrile neutropenia and the requirement for platelet and red cell transfusions. Non-haematological toxicity was predominantly mucositis and was generally mild.

CONCLUSIONS

MADEC is a highly active regimen in patients with relapsed lymphoma. Patients responding to MADEC who proceed to ASCT have a good chance of achieving a durable remission.

Phase II trial of raltitrexed ('Tomudex') in advanced small-cell lung cancer

Raltitrexed, a thymidylate synthase inhibitor, was given to 21 patients with advanced small-cell lung cancer, at a dose of 3 mg m(-2) as a 15-min intravenous infusion at 21-day intervals. All of the patients had extensive disease and 17 had received prior therapy. Patients with disease refractory to primary chemotherapy were excluded. Forty-one treatment cycles were given (median two, range one to four). The drug was well tolerated. No objective tumour response was documented. The patients had chemoresistant disease, as shown by a response in only one of ten patients who went on to receive alternative cytotoxic regimens. We conclude that raltitrexed given in this schedule is inactive as second line therapy for small-cell lung cancer.

Broad inter-individual variations in circulating progenitor cell numbers induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy

The elevated white cell counts (WCC) and myeloid progenitor cell levels in the blood induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment were studied in three settings: cancer patients previously treated with chemo/radiotherapy (n = 13), untreated cancer patients (n = 5) and normal volunteers (n = 9). The inter-individual variations in progenitor cell mobilization responses to G-CSF and the impact of previous chemo/radiotherapy were investigated. The absolute levels of circulating progenitor cells, but not total white cells, were reduced significantly in the pretreated cancer patients (median 961, range 289-3355 per ml blood) as compared to untreated cancer patients (median 9891, range 2219-16625 per ml blood). In each setting, wide ranges of circulating progenitor cell numbers were observed, and the variation in progenitor cell numbers was considerably greater than observed for the WCC. However, progenitor cell numbers in normal volunteers (942-25296 per ml blood) demonstrated as much variance as observed in pretreated cancer patients. This broad physiological variation in progenitor cell levels induced by G-CSF needs to be considered when designing strategies for allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.